Growth studies in Jena, Germany: Changes in sitting height, biacromial andbicristal breadth in the past decenniums

Changes in sitting height, biacromial and bicristal breadths, and the acrom io-cristal index in school children from Jena between 7 and 14 years of age are described. Additionally, a secular comparison of these measurements an d the index was done, based on the long series of surveys available for sch oolchildren in Jena. During childhood, sex differences in the dimensions an d the index are usually slight, but with the onset of the adolescent spurt sex differences are clear. Females become relatively broader-hipped and sho rter-legged than males, with the differences especially marked in the acrom io-cristal index. Biacromial and bicristal breadths and sifting height incr eased, on average, between the first investigation in 1975 and the survey i n 1995. In contrast, the acromio-cristal index remained almost constant in boys and girls over the observed time, with few exceptions. When related to stature, both breadth measurements of the trunk have increased, whereas th e ratio of sitting height to stature remained constant in most age groups b etween 1975 and 1995. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.